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Sparky
Larry Raben is honored to return to “FOREVER PLAID” after appearing in the original Off-Broadway company with David Engel and Stan Chandler. He subsequently appeared with them as Sparky in the runaway hit production at LA’s Canon Theatre (Ovation and LA Drama-Critics and Dramalogue Awards) and also on the West End in London. While in London he performed in The Royal Variety show for Queen Elizabeth II. In 2002, Larry reunited with director Stuart Ross to reprise his role as Sparky in the holiday sequel, PLAID TIDINGS at Pasadena Playhouse. Larry spent the past year starring as Leo Bloom in the Las Vegas production of Mel Brook’s mega-musical, THE PRODUCERS, a role he also played on Broadway. Other major NY credits include the Off-Broadway hit I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (also at LA’s Coronet Theatre) and two performances at Carnegie Hall. Also an accomplished director, Larry has directed numerous stagings of “FOREVER PLAID” from New York to LA to Anchorage to Tokyo.
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Jinx
Stan Chandler claims, “I am in love with and married
to the coolest woman on the planet, Kirsten”. Together, they have
performed in concert at New York's Town Hall, Disney Hall (with the California
Philharmonic), and in many other prestigious venues. They have produced
a critically acclaimed album “A Quiet Thing”, a beautiful four-year-old
son Addie (“a noisy thing”), and are expecting a new production
in February (“a crying thing”). On a side note, Stan made his
Broadway debut singing “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” in the Hal
Prince revival of CABARET, starring Joel Grey. But he is perhaps best known
for creating the role of Jinx in the Off-Broadway smash hit “FOREVER
PLAID”.
He can be heard on the original cast album, and has gone on to direct the
show for many regional theatres across the country. He also recently reprised
his role as Jinx in the holiday offering,
PLAID TIDINGS.
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Francis
Daniel Reichard, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is best known for his portrayal of songwriter and one of the original Four Season(s), Bob Gaudio in the box-office smash JERSEY BOYS, a role he originated both on Broadway and in the show’s La Jolla Playhouse premiere. He followed JERSEY BOYS with a critically acclaimed performance as Candide in Leonard Bernstein’s CANDIDE at the New York City Opera. Daniel made his New York City debut with the original cast in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: 20th Celebration. As a concert singer, he has had sold-out engagements at Joe’s Pub, the Metropolitan Room, and Ars Nova. Other concert appearances include three performances at Carnegie Hall, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve—which had an attendance of 100 million guests, Radio City Music Hall, Symphony Space, BB Kings, Town Hall, Firebird, and the Cutting Room, as well as with the Arkansas Symphony.
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Smudge
David Engel is a five-time winner of the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award.
He has appeared on Broadway opposite Carol Burnett in PUTTING IT TOGETHER,
and as the Bass Wickersham in SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL. Also on Broadway,
David created the role of Hanna from Hamburg in the original production
of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and played an Aggie in both the stage and the film
versions of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. David created the role
of Smudge in the original New York production of “FOREVER PLAID” and
subsequent London and Los Angeles productions (LA Drama Critics, Drama-Logue,
and Ovation Awards). He then recreated the role of Smudge in PLAID TIDINGS
at the Pasadena Playhouse. Other stage credits include starring roles in
CRAZY FOR YOU, THE FULL MONTY, LA CAGE, KISS ME KATE, SINGIN’ IN
THE RAIN, CHILDREN OF EDEN, DAMES AT SEA, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, WHITE
CHRISTMAS, and playing the villain in Pasadena Playhouse’s newly
re-envisioned
CAN-CAN.
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Creator, Writer, Director
In addition to directing the original New York production of “FOREVER PLAID,” Stuart Ross has directed PLAID in major cities in the U.S. and around the world, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, London-West End, Washington D.C, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, Tokyo, and Las Vegas—currently in its 12th year, among many others. Stuart also holds the name of Creator and Director of the holiday sequel PLAID TIDINGS—which is currently in its 7th year of Christmas chicanery. Aside from his contributions to the Plaid cosmos, his list of accomplishments is unremitting. In New York, this past season, Mr. Ross directed IT’S A BIRD IT’S A PLANE IT’S SUPERMAN, ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL, AND MINNIE’S BOYS all at the York Theatre Company. Currently Mr. Ross is doing a new adaptation of SILK STOCKINGS for the Cole Porter estate and penning the book for BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT/BOGUS MUSICAL for MGM.
